College World Series Well Worth Putting On Your Baseball Bucket List

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OMAHA, Neb.—It’s taken me many, many years to get here, but my dream of seeing a College World Series in person has happened.



And reality has lived up to the dream.



I’ve long wanted to go to the College World Series. Bad timing on my birthdate meant I missed getting to Omaha as a college student by one year. (I covered Georgia baseball from 1991-1994, but they went and won the whole thing in 1990). Since joining Baseball America, I’ve always enjoyed the CWS from home on my TV while a steady progression of Baseball America staffers—Will Kimmey, Jim Callis, Aaron Fitt, John Manuel, Teddy Cahill and Michael Lananna—made the trip.



The crowds are just as excited and loud as I had hoped, especially in the sun-broiled bleachers. The players are just as fired up. The Omaha natives are just as friendly as expected. And yes, Nebraska in mid-June is hot enough to melt asphalt when the random, pop-up thunderstorm isn’t blowing through.



In many ways it’s as expected. But I couldn’t fully understand what the wind does in this ballpark until I felt that gale that knocks down balls game after game (and seems to always be blowing in).



I also couldn’t fully understand until I got here how this event is both a very big deal and a hidden gem, all at the same time.



Every game and every pitch carries weight. I knew that from watching the CWS on TV for a couple of decades now. But being here, it still feels like everyone involved is in on a really, really good secret—we’re all at the great local restaurant that hasn’t been fully discovered yet.



There are those of us who cover college baseball year-round here, the local Omaha media and the media covering the various teams. But other than that, there’s very little national media here.



But the fans from the various teams know. They are here in large numbers enjoying a party that brings with is some impressive tailgating. What’s also notable is how fans from teams that aren’t even here still make the trip. The number of fans wearing Louisiana State purple who you can find in the stands is pretty remarkable.



Looking out over TD Ameritrade, I can’t help but be happy. I’ve been fortunate enough to check off many items from a baseball bucket list. I’ve been blessed. I’ve been to the World Series, the World Baseball Classic and I’ve seen a teenage Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit and a teenage Vladimir Guerrero Sr. hit. Working for a baseball magazine means I’ve gotten to attend games at the baseball cathedrals of Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Dodger Stadium, as well as some of the newest parks as well. I’ve been to no-hitters and I’ve seen cycles.



Getting to Omaha is a much-desired bucket list item off my list. Now, I can’t wait to get back next year.